Jewels and parties. Stars and stand-ins. Rehearsals and news conferences. So much swag even Hollywood canines could rack up free goodies. The city is abuzz with all things Oscar as celebrities flock from all over the world for Sunday's Academy Awards...

Fans slipped him notes, pictures and leaned across the desk to say they loved him. One young woman was in tears, speechless, after her book was signed. Another was heard telling her friend, "That was intense! Oh, my God!" Former President Clinton was greeted by adoring crowds as he launched the tour for his autobiography on Tuesday in New York, with many readers getting up early or using their lunch breaks to buy it.

Eager for a few seconds of face time with their idol, hundreds of Bill Clinton's fans lined up Tuesday near a Manhattan bookstore where he was scheduled to sign copies of his new memoir, My Life. "Bill Clinton is a rock star," said Lynne Roberts, 37, who set up camp Monday night, nearly 15 hours before the signing was to begin. "He is our cultural icon and we miss him now more than ever, given everything that's going on in the world."